Landings on Okinawa and neighboring islands Destroyer William D. Porter sinks after a kamikaze attack off Okinawa, 10 June 1945. A landing craft, support stands by to pick up survivors. For the April 1945 invasion of Okinawa (Allied codename: Operation Iceberg ), the Allies assembled the most powerful naval force in history. Since the few remaining capital ships of the Imperial Japanese Combined Fleet had been sunk or otherwise put out of action at the Battle of Leyte Gulf , the Allies were effectively unopposed in terms of major surface vessels; a single mission consisting of the superbattleship Yamato and a few escorts was undertaken, but the task force did not get within 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi) of the invasion area. The main Japanese naval opposition within the invasion area came from hundreds of Imperial Japanese Navy Shin'yō -class suicide motorboats and Maru-Ni Imperial Japanese Army attack boats.
Since the Japanese air arm had been equally decimated by this point in the war, the lack of trained and experienced pilots led them to deploy the kamikaze extensively in the waters off Okinawa .
US Navy combat ships: 11 fleet carriers , 6 light carriers , 22 escort carriers , 8 fast battleships , 10 old battleships , 2 large cruisers , 12 heavy cruisers , 13 light cruisers , 4 anti-aircraft light cruisers , 132 destroyers , 45 destroyer escorts
Amphibious assault vessels: 84 attack transports , 29 attack cargo ships , LCIs, LSMs, LSTs, LSVs, etc.
Auxiliaries: 52 submarine chasers , 23 fast minesweepers , 69 minesweepers, 11 minelayers , 49 oilers , etc.
Royal Navy combat ships: 5 fleet carriers, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, 14 destroyers
Losses The smaller ships were least able to withstand damage from kamikaze attacks.
12 to kamikaze : Twiggs , Mannert L. Abele , Callaghan , William D. Porter , Pringle , Bush, Dickerson , Emmons , Swallow , Canada Victory , Logan Victory , Hobbs Victory 2 to mines: Halligan , Skylark 1 to collision: Thornton
Allied command structure
Naval The roles of Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPOA) and Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC) were both exercised by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz from his headquarters at Pearl Harbor , Hawaii .
Since the "Big Blue Fleet" was at this time under the command of Admiral Raymond Spruance aboard his flagship USS Indianapolis , the force was designated Fifth Fleet . (It had been Third Fleet until Spruance relieved Admiral William Halsey in January, as part of the "alternating command" system).
The ships and troops of Operation Iceberg were under direct operational command of Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner aboard amphibious command ship Eldorado .
Ground troops Son of a Confederate army general, Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. was one of four US lieutenant generals to die during World War II , but the only one to die by enemy action. On 18 June, Buckner was visiting a forward observation post when a Japanese artillery shell struck a coral outcropping, fragments of which struck Buckner in the chest. Command of Tenth Army passed to Marine Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger.United States Tenth Army (Lt. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. (KIA))
Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army - MajGen Francis P. Mulcahy /MajGen Louis E. Woods III Amphibious Corps (Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger )Left beaches: 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. ) Right beaches: 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle ) XXIV Army Corps (Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge )Left beaches: 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. A.V. Arnold ) Right beaches: 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. J.L. Bradley ) Landed L+8: 27th Infantry ("New York") Division (Maj. Gen. G.W. Griner, Jr. )
Allied amphibious forces
Joint Expeditionary Force (Task Force 51) Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner in amphibious command ship Eldorado
Western Islands Attack Group (Task Group 51.1) Attack transport LaGrange Destroyer transport Scribner Landing craft repair ship Egeria Tugboat Yuma Attack transport Hendry Rear Admiral I.N. Kiland in amphibious command ship Mount McKinley Embarking 77th Infantry ("Statue of Liberty") Division and one Marine BLT (Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce , USA)Transport Group "Fox" Commodore T.B. BrittainTransport Division 49 4 attack transports: Chilton , LaGrange , Tazewell , St. Mary's 2 attack cargos: Oberon , Torrance Transport Division 50 4 attack transports: Henrico , Pitt , Natrona , Drew 1 attack cargo: Tate 1 evacuation transport: Rixey Transport Division 51 5 attack transports: Goodhue , Eastland , Telfair , Mountrail , Montrose 2 attack cargos: Wyandot , Suffolk Reconnaissance section 2 destroyer transports: Scribner , Kinzer Western Islands Tractor Flotilla: 18 LSTs Western Islands Reserve Tractor Group: 10 LSTs Western Islands LSM Group: 11 LSMs Western Islands Control Unit: 7 submarine chasers : (3 steel hull, 4 wooden hull) Western Islands Support Craft Flotilla Mortar support divisions 6, 7, 8 RCM and Rocket Division 3 Gunboat Support Divisions 1, 3, 4, 5 LSM(R) GroupWestern Islands Hydrographic Survey Group: 4 submarine chasers (steel hull) Western Island Service & Salvage Unit 1 salvage vessel: Clamp 1 landing craft repair ship: Egeria 2 fleet tugs: Yuma , Tekesta 2 LCI(L)s 1 LCT Screen Captain Frederick Moosbrugger in amphibious command ship Biscayne 8 destroyers8 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Picking , Sproston , Wickes , William D. Porter ,[a] Isherwood , Kimberly , Luce , Charles J. Badger 6 destroyer escorts3 John C. Butler-class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Richard W. Suesens , Abercrombie , Oberrender 3 Cannon-class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Riddle , Swearer , Stern 3 destroyer transports: Humphreys , Herbert , Dickerson [b] Demonstration Group "Charlie" (Task Group 51.2) Rear Admiral Jerauld Wright Embarking Demonstration Landing Force (2nd Marine Division ), Major General Thomas E. Watson , USMCTransport Squadron 15 5 attack transports: Bayfield , Mellette , Hendry , Sibley , Berrien 3 attack cargos: Shoshone , Theenim , Southampton 1 evacuation transport: Pinkney
Northern Attack Force (Task Force 53) Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger (third from left) and his staff planning the Marine Corps phase of the invasion of Okinawa. Chief of Staff Silverthorn is gesturing toward the map. Catskill -class vehicle landing ship at Subic Bay, 1945Steel-hulled sub chaser Rear Admiral Lawrence F. Reifsnider in amphibious command ship Panamint Embarking III Amphibious Corps (Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger , USMC)
Transport Group "Able" (Task Group 53.1) Commodore H.B. Knowles Embarking 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. , USMC)Transport Division 34 6 attack transports: Cambria , Marvin H. McIntyre , Adair , Gage , Noble , Gilliam 2 attack cargos: Sheliak , Hydrus Transport Division 35 5 attack transports: Clay , Leon , George Clymer , Arthur Middleton , Catron 2 attack cargos: Caswell , Devosa Transport Division 36 5 attack transports: Monrovia , Wayne , Sumter , Menifee , Fuller 3 attack cargos: Aquarius , Circe , Casa Grande 1 vehicle landing ship : Catskill Transport Group "Baker" (Task Group 53.2) Commodore J. G. Moyer Embarking 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle , USMC)Transport Division 52 8 attack transports: Burleigh , McCracken , Thomas Jefferson , Charles Carroll , Barnett , Andromeda , Cepheus , Oak Hill 1 vehicle landing ship : Monitor Transport Division 53 5 attack transports: Marathon , Rawlins , Renville , New Kent , Burleson 2 attack cargos: Centaurus , Arcturus Transport Division 54 5 attack transports: Dade , Magoffin , Navarro , Effingham , Joseph T. Dickman 3 attack cargos: Betelgeuse , Procyon , White Marsh Northern Tractor Flotilla (Task Group 53.3) Capt. J. S. LaidlawTractor Group "Able": 16 LSTs carrying 6 LCTs, 22 pontoon barges and 6 pontoon causeways; 7 LSMs Tractor Group "Baker": 16 LSTs carrying 10 LCTs, 16 pontoon barges and 6 pontoon causeways Tractor Group "Charlie": 14 LSTs carrying 20 pontoon barges; 8 LSMs Northern Control Group: 18 submarine chasers (4 steel hull, 9 wooden hull, 5 sweeper type), Northern Beach Party Northern Attack Force Screen (Task Group 53.6) Captain J. H. Wellings Buckley -class destroyer escortArmadillo -class oil storage ship13 destroyers2 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Massey , Hugh W. Hadley 4 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Pringle ,[c] Hutchins , Stanly , Howorth 4 Benham class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Lang , Stack , Sterett , Wilson 3 Sims class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Morris , Mustin , Russell 5 destroyer escorts4 Buckley class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Gendreau , Fieberling , William C. Cole , Paul G. Baker 1 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Bebas 2 destroyer transports: Charles Lawrence , Roper 3 submarine chasers (2 escort type, 1 wooden hull) Northern Defense Group (Task Group 53.7) Capt. W. W. Weeden Embarking Marine Corps support units and high priority cargo: 21 LSTs carrying LCT and pontoon causeways2 oil storage ships: Elk , Camel 1 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery) destroyer escort: Fair 2 submarine chasers (wooden hull), 7 motor minesweepers
Southern Attack Force (Task Force 55) Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge Attack cargo ship Algorab Landing ship, tank (LST) Evarts -class destroyer escortLanding craft, infantry (LCIs) Cannon -class destroyer escortRear Admiral John L. Hall in amphibious command ship Teton Embarking XXIV Army Corps (Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge )
Transport Group "Dog" (Task Group 55.1) Commodore M.O. Carlson Embarking 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold , USA)Transport Division 37 4 attack transports: Harris , Lamar , Sheridan , Pierce 1 attack cargo: Algorab Transport Division 38 4 attack transports: Barnstable , Elmore , Alpine , Lycoming 1 attack cargo: Alshain 1 landing ship dock : Epping Forest Transport Division 39 4 attack transports: Custer , Freestone , Kittson , Baxter 2 attack cargos: Algol , Arneb Transport Division 13 4 attack transports: Appling , Butte , Audrain , Laurens 2 attack cargos: Aurelia , Corvus 1 vehicle landing ship : Ozark Tractor Group "Dog" 16 LSTs, 12 LSMs, 2 LCIs Tractor Group "Fox" 14 LSTs carrying LCTs and pontoon barges, 10 LSMs Transport Group "Easy" (Task Group 55.2) Commodore C.G. Richardson Embarking 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley, USA)Transport Division 40 4 attack transports: Mendocino , Sarasota , Haskell , Oconto 2 attack cargos: Capricornus , Chara 1 landing ship dock : Lindenwald Transport Division 41 4 attack transports: Olmstead , La Porte , Fond du Lac , Banner 2 attack cargos: Diphda , Uvalde Transport Division 42 4 attack transports: Neshoba , Oxford , Latimer , Edgecombe 1 attack cargo: Virgo 1 landing ship dock : Gunston Hall Transport Division 14 4 attack transports: Allendale , Meriwether , Menard , Kenton 1 attack cargo: Achernar Tractor Group "Easy": 23 LSTs, 5 LSMs Beach Party "Easy", Southern Beach Party 15 submarine chasers : 4 steel hull, 7 wooden hull, 4 sweeper type 17 LCS(L)s , 6 LSM(R)s Screen (Task Group 55.6) Captain E.W. Young13 destroyers4 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Hyman , Purdy , Wadsworth , Putnam 9 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Anthony , Bache , Bush ,[d] Mullany , Bennett , Hudson , Beale , Ammen , Rooks 6 destroyer escorts2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Crouter , Carlson , 2 Buckley class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Damon M. Cummings , Vammen 1 Cannon class (3 x 3-in. main battery): O'Neill 1 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Walter C. Wann 1 destroyer transportSims Southern Defense Group (Task Group 55.7) Commander B.T. Zelenka1 Evarts -class destroyer escort: Manlove 1 destroyer transport: Stringham 34 LSTs, 14 LSMs, 6 motor minesweepers, 2 LCIs 1 oil storage ship: Grumium
Expeditionary Troops (Task Force 56) Final photograph of Lt. Gen. Simon B. Buckner, Jr. (right ), shortly before his death by artillery fire on Okinawa Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. , USA (KIA 18 June) Consisting of United States Tenth Army
Northern Landing Area III Amphibious Corps (Embarked in Task Force 53)Maj. Gen. Roy S. Geiger , USMCLeft beaches: 6th Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. , USMC) Right beaches: 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Pedro A. del Valle , USMC) Southern Landing Area XXIV Army Corps (Embarked in Task Force 55)Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge , USALeft beaches: 7th Infantry ("Bayonet") Division (Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold , USA) Right beaches: 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division (Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley, USA) Landed L+8: 27th Infantry ("New York") Division (Maj. Gen. George W. Griner, Jr., USA) Western Islands Landed L+26: 77th Infantry ("Statue of Liberty") Division and one Marine BLT (Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Bruce , USA)
Allied combat ships
Amphibious Support Forces (Task Force 52) Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy in amphibious command ship Estes
Escort carrier Savo Island Marine Corps Corsairs in 1944 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters Support Carrier Group (Task Group 52.1) Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin Unit One Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague 7 escort carriersMakin Island (Capts. W.B. Whaley and I.E. Hobbs)VC-84 (Lt. D.K. English, USNR), 27 aircraft16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Fanshaw Bay (Capt. M.E. Arnold)VOC-2 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Allison), 30 aircraft24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Lunga Point (Capt. G.A.T. Washburn)VC-85 (Lt. Cmdr. F.C. Herriman), 30 aircraft18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Sangamon (Capts. M.E. Browder and A.I. Malstrom)Air Group 33 (Cmdr. F.B. Gilkeson), 30 aircraft24 F6F Hellcat fighters 6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Natoma Bay (Capts. Albert K. Morehouse and B.B. Nichol)VC-81 (Lt. Cmdr. W.B. Morton, USNR), 32 aircraft20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Savo Island (Capt. W.D. Anderson)VC-91 (Lt. F.M. Blanchard, USNR), 35 aircraft20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Anzio (Capt. G.C. Montgomery)VC-13 (Lt. Cmdr. R.P. Williams, USNR), 24 aircraft12 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Commander J.C. Zahm)6 destroyers1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Ingraham 3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Boyd , Bradford , Hart 2 Bagley class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Bagley , Patterson 11 destroyer escorts9 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): Lawrence C. Taylor , Melvin R. Nawman , Oliver Mitchell , Robert F. Keller , Tabberer , Richard M. Rowell , Richard S. Bull , Dennis , O'Flaherty 2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Sederstrom , Fleming Unit Two Rear Adm. Felix B. Stump Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber Destroyer escort Ulvert M. Moore , commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump 7 escort carriersSaginaw Bay (Capts. F.C. Sutton and Robert Goldwaite)VC-88 (Lt. E.L. Kemp, USNR), 32 aircraft20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Sargent Bay (Capt. R.M. Oliver)VC-83 (Lt. Cmdr. B.V. Gates (KIA) and Lt. M.S. Worley, USNR), 28 aircraft16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Rudyerd Bay (Capts. C.S. Smiley and J.G. Foster)VC-96 (Lt. Cmdr. W.S. Woollen, USNR), 31 aircraft20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Marcus Island (Capt. H.V. Hopkins)VC-87 (Lt. H.N. Heisel), 32 aircraft20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Petrof Bay (Capt. R.S. Clarke)VC-93 (Lt. Cmdr. C.P. Smith), 28 aircraft16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Tulagi (Capts. J.C. Cronin & W.V. Davis)VC-92 (Lt. Cmdr. J.B. Wallace), 31 aircraft19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Wake Island (Capt. A.V. Magly)VOC-1 (Lt. Cmdr. W.F. Bringie), 32 aircraft26 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 6 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Captain G.P. Hunter)4 destroyers1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Lowry 3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Capps , Evans , John D. Henley 6 destroyer escorts4 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): William Seiverling , Ulvert M. Moore (Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. , USNR), Kendall C. Campbell , Goss 2 Evarts class (3 x 3-in. main battery): Tisdale , Eisele Unit Three Rear Adm. William D. Sample Escort carrier Suwannee at Kwajalein, 1944 Rear Admiral William D. Sample 4 escort carriersSuwannee (Capt. D.S. Cornwell)Air Group 40 (Lt. Cmdr. R.D. Sampson (KIA) and Lt. Cmdr. J.C. Longino), 27 aircraft17 F6F Hellcat fighters 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Chenango (Capts. George van Deurs and Harry D. Felt )Air Group 25 (Lt. Cmdr. R.W. Robinson (KIA), Lt. B. Phillips and Lt. Cmdr. P.M. Paul), 30 aircraft18 F6F Hellcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Santee (Capt. J.V. Peterson)Air Group 24 (Lt. Cmdr. R.J. Ostrom (KIA) and Lt. P.N. Charbonnet), 30 aircraft18 F6F Hellcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Steamer Bay (Capt. J.B. Paschal)VC-90 (Lt. Cmdr. R.A. O'Neill), 31 aircraft19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Captain Alvin Duke Chandler )5 destroyers1 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Drexler 3 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Metcalf , Fullam , Guest 1 Bagley class (4 x 5-in. main battery): Helm 2 destroyer escorts2 John C. Butler class (2 x 5-in. main battery): John C. Butler , Edmonds Special Escort Carrier Group Gunnery practice aboard escort carrier Hollandia , 1944 Captain C.L. Lee (arriving 4 April)4 escort carriersHollandia (Capt. Lee)White Plains (Capt. D.J. Sullivan and Frederick Funke)Sitkoh Bay (Capts. R.G. Lockhart and J.P. Walker)Breton (Capt. Frank Obeirne)Marine Air Group 31 (Col. John C. Munn , USMC) Marine Air Group 33 (Col. W. E. Dickey, USMC)192 F4U Corsair and 30 F6F Hellcat fighters to operate from Okinawa airfields Screen (Commander R.A. Wilhelm, USNR)4 destroyer transports: Kilty , Manley , George E. Badger , Greene Mine Flotilla (Task Group 52.2) Former destroyer Gherardi in minesweeper configuration Auk -class minesweeperAdmirable -class minesweeperAilanthus -class net laying shipRear Admiral Alexander Sharp and Captain R. P. Whitemarsh in Terror Destroyer Minesweeper Group (Task Group 52.3)Capt. R.A. Larkin13 fast minesweepers (ex-destroyers): Forrest , Hobson , Macomb , Dorsey , Hopkins , Ellyson , Hambleton , Rodman , Emmons ,[d] Butler , Gherardi , Jeffers , Harding 3 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Gwin , Lindsey , Aaron Ward Minesweeper Group One (Task Group 52.4)Captain T.F. Donohue18 Auk -class minesweepers: Champion , Heed , Defense , Devastator , Ardent , Requisite , Revenge , Pursuit , Sage , Sheldrake , Skylark ,[e] Starling , Swallow ,[f] Gladiator , Impeccable , Spear , Triumph , Vigilance 4 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Adams , Tolman , Henry A. Wiley , Shea 3 submarine chasers (steel hull): PC-1128, PC-1179, PC-1598 Minesweeper Group Two (Task Group 52.5)Captain L. F. Freiburghouse18 Admirable -class minesweepers: Skirmish , Staunch , Signet , Scurry , Spectacle , Spector , Superior , Serene , Shelter , Strategy , Strength , Success , Ransom , Diploma , Density , Facility , Rebel , Recruit 2 fast minelayers (ex-destroyers): Tracy , J. William Ditter 3 motor gunboats (steel hull): PGM-9, PGM-10, PGM-11 Reserve Sweep Group (Task Group 52.7)Cmdrs. E.D. McEathron and J.W. Wyckoff6 Admirable -class minesweepers: Buoyant , Gayety , Design , Device , Hazard , Execute Reinforced by the following in May:2 Admirable -class minesweepers: Fixity , Dour 8 Auk -class minesweepers: Chief , Competent , Token , Zeal , Strive , Oracle , Velocity , Prevail 14 motor minesweepers 4 destroyer transports with sweep gear-equipped landing craft personnel, ramped (LCP(R)s) embarked: Reeves , Daniel T. Griffin , Waters , Sims 2 minelayers: Weehawken , Monadnock 1 repair ship: Mona Island Net and Buoy Group (Task Group 52.8)Cmdr. G. C. King, USNR9 Ailanthus -class net laying ships : Snowbell , Terebinth , Corkwood , Spicewood , Cliffrose , Stagbush , Abele , Winterberry , Pinon 3 Aloe -class net laying ships : Mahogany , Aloe , Chinquapin 1 mine and net laying ship: Keokuk 2 net cargo ships: Sagittarius , Tuscana
Gunfire and Covering Force (Task Force 54) Rear Adm. Morton L. Deyo Battleship Texas in Hawaiian waters in 1945 Heavy cruiser Wichita firing broadside in 1944 Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo in battleship Tennessee
Unit One (Rear Admiral Peter K. Fischler)2 battleships: Texas , Maryland 1 heavy cruiser: Tuscaloosa 4 Fletcher -class destroyers: Laws, Longshaw , Morrison , Prichett Unit Two (Rear Admiral C. Turner Joy )2 battleships: Arkansas , Colorado 2 heavy cruisers: San Francisco , Minneapolis 3 Fletcher -class destroyers: Halligan ,[g] Paul Hamilton , Twiggs [h] 1 Allen M. Sumner -class destroyer : Laffey Unit Three (Rear Admiral Bertram J. Rodgers )2 battleships: Tennessee , Nevada 1 heavy cruiser: Wichita 2 light cruisers: Birmingham , St. Louis 4 Allen M. Sumner -class destroyers: Mannert L. Abele ,[i] Zellars , Barton , O'Brien 1 Fletcher -class destroyer: Bryant Unit Four (Rear Admiral Lynde D. McCormick )2 battleships: Idaho , West Virginia 2 heavy cruisers: Pensacola , Portland 1 light cruiser: Biloxi 5 Fletcher -class destroyers: Porterfield , Callaghan ,[j] Irwin , Cassin Young , Preston Unit Five (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith)Battleship Division 3 (George L. Weyler): 2 battleships: New Mexico , New York Cruiser Division 5 (Allan E. Smith): 2 heavy cruisers: Salt Lake City , Indianapolis Destroyer Squadron 56 (Roland N. Smoot ): 5 Fletcher -class destroyers: Newcomb , Heywood L. Edwards , Richard P. Leary , Bennion , Leutze Unit Six (Commander W.B. Hinds, USNR)2 Cannon -class destroyer escorts: Samuel S. Miles , Wesson 6 Buckley -class destroyer escorts: Foreman , Whitehurst , England , Witter , Bowers , Willmarth Reported to TF 54 after L-day 1 battleship: Mississippi 1 heavy cruiser: New Orleans 1 Fletcher -class destroyer: Daly 1 fast minesweeper: Forrest
British Carrier Force (Task Force 57) Supermarine Seafire fighter Supermarine Walrus reconnaissance plane Battleship King George V in Apra Harbor, Guam, 1945 Light cruiser Achilles at anchor Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings , RN
First Aircraft Carrier Squadron (Task Group 57.2) Rear Admiral Sir Philip L. Vian , RN5 fleet carriersHMS Indomitable (Capt. J.A.S. Eccles, RN), 44 aircraft29 F6F Hellcat fighters 15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, RN), 53 aircraft37 F4U Corsair fighters 14 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers 2 Supermarine Walrus scout planes HMS Illustrious (Capt. C.E. Lambe, RN), 52 aircraft36 F4U Corsair fighters 16 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers HMS Indefatigable (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN), 69 aircraft40 Supermarine Seafire fighters 20 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers 9 Fairey Firefly fighters HMS Formidable (Capt. P. Ruck-Keene, RN), 43 aircraft28 F4U Corsair fighters 15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers First Battle Squadron (Task Group 57.1) Vice Admiral Rawlings2 battleshipsHMS King George V (10 x 14 in. main battery)HMS Howe (10 x 14 in. main battery) Fourth Cruiser Squadron (Task Group 57.4) Rear Admiral E.J.P. Brind7 light cruisers2 Crown Colony class : HMNZS Gambia (12 x 6 in. main battery), HMCS Uganda (9 x 6 in. main battery) 1 Minotaur class : HMS Swiftsure (12 x 6 in. main battery) 1 Leander class : HMNZS Achilles (6 x 6 in. main battery) 3 Dido class : HMS Argonaut (8 x 5.25 in. main battery), HMS Euryalus (10 x 5.25 in. main battery), HMS Black Prince (10 x 5.25 in. main battery) Screen (Task Group 57.8) Rear Admiral J.H. Edelston4th Destroyer Flotilla 24th Destroyer Flotilla 25th Destroyer Flotilla 27th Destroyer Flotilla British Fleet Train (Task Force 112) Rear Admiral D.B. Fisher, RN 70+ auxiliaries including repair ships, oilers, minesweepers, hospital ships, etc.
Fast Carrier Force (Task Force 58) Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Bunker Hill
Task Group 58.1 Fleet carrier Bennington October 1944 during shakedown in Caribbean Sea Anti-aircraft light cruiser San Juan off Norfolk in 1942 Allen M. Sumner -class destroyer Drexler refueling, February 1945Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark 3 fleet carriers Hornet (Capt. Austin K. Doyle )Air Group 17 (Cmdr. E.G. Konrad), 101 aircraftVF-17: 71 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-17: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-17: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Wasp (Capts. O.A. Weller and W.G. Switzer)Air Group 86 (Cmdr. G.R. Luker), 100 aircraftVBF-86: 36 F4U Corsair fighters VF-86: 34 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-86: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-86: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Bennington (Capts. J.B. Sykes and B.L. Braun)Air Group 82 (Cmdr. G.L. Heap), 92 aircraftVF-82: 37 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-82: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-82: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers VMF-112: 18 F4U Corsair fighters VMF-123: 17 F4U Corsair fighters 2 light carriers Belleau Wood (Capts. John Perry and W.G. Tomlinson)Air Group 30 (Lt. Cmdr. D.A. Clark), 34 aircraftVF-30: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-30: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers San Jacinto (Capt. M.H. Kernodle)Air Group 45 (Cmdr. G.E. Schecter), 34 aircraftVF-45: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-45: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Battleship Division 8 (Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth Jr. )3 fast battleshipsSouth Dakota (Capts. C.F. Stillman and Charles B. Momsen ) - flagshipMassachusetts (Capts. W.W. Warlick and John R. Redman )Indiana (Capts. T.J. Keliher and Francis P. Old) Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Admiral Lloyd J. Wiltse)2 heavy cruisersBaltimore (Capt. C.K. Fink)Pittsburgh (Capt. John E. Gingrich ) Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting)3 light cruisersVincennes (Capt. W.G. Lalor)Miami (Capt. Thomas H. Binford)Vicksburg (Capt. W.C. Vose) 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser[k] San Juan (Capts. J.F. Donovan and G.H. Bahm) Screen 21 destroyers9 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Dehaven , Mansfield , Lyman K. Swenson , Collett , Maddox ,[l] Blue , Brush , Taussig , Samuel N. Moore 12 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Wedderburn , Twining , Stockham , John Rodgers , Stevens , Harrison , McKee , Murray , Sigsbee , Ringgold , Schroeder , Dashiell Task Group 58.2 Fletcher -class destroyer underwayRear Admirals Ralph E. Davison and Gerald F. Bogan 3 fleet carriers Enterprise (Capt. Grover B. H. Hall)Night Air Group 90 (Cmdr. W.I. Martin), 53 aircraftVFN-90: 32 F6F Hellcat fighters VTN-90: 21 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Franklin (Capt. Leslie E. Gehres )Air Group 5 (Cmdr. E.B. Parker Jr.),[2] [3] 107 aircraftVF-5: 19 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-5: 8 SB2C Helldiver , 11 SBW Helldiver dive bombers VT-5: 6 TBF Avenger , 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers VMF-214 : 18 F4U Corsair fighters[4] VMF-452 : 18 F4U Corsair fightersRandolph (Capt. F.L. Baker)Air Group 12 (Cmdrs. C.L. Crommelin (KIA), E.J. Pawka, USNR), 97 aircraftVF-12: 33 F6F Hellcat fighters VBF-12: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-12: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-12: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers 1 light cruiser Santa Fe (Capt. H.C. Fitz)Screen 8 Fletcher -class destroyers (5 x 5-in. main battery): Miller , Owen, Hickox , Hunt, Lewis Hancock , Marshall , Stephen Potter , Tingey Task Group 58.3 Light carrier Cabot in 1945 Fast battleship North Carolina underway Heavy cruiser Indianapolis Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman 3 fleet carriers Essex (Capt. C.W. Wieber)Air Group 83 (Cmdr. Harmon Tischer Utter), 102 aircraftVF-83: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters VBF-83: 36 F4U Corsair fighters VB-83: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-83: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Bunker Hill (Capt. G.A Seitz)Air Group 84 (Cmdr. G.M. Ottinger), 93 aircraftVF-84: 27 F4U Corsair fighters, 10 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-84: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-84: 15 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers VMF-221: 18 F4U Corsair fighters VMF-451: 18 F4U Corsair fighters Hancock (Capt. R.F. Hickey)Air Group 6 (Cmdr. H.L. Miller), 94 aircraftVF-6: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters VBF-6: 36 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-6: 12 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-6: 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers 2 light carriers Cabot (Capt. W.W. Smith)Air Group 29 (Lt. Cmdr. W.E. Eder), 33 aircraftVF-29: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-29: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Bataan (Capt. J.B. Heath)Air Group 47 (Cmdr. Walker Etheridge and Lt. Cmdr. A.H. Clancy), 36 aircraftVF-47: 24 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-47: 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Battleship Division 6 (Rear Admiral Thomas R. Cooley )2 fast battleshipsNorth Carolina (Capts. Oswald S. Colclough and Byron H. Hanlon)Washington (Capts. Roscoe F. Good and Francis X. McInerney ) Cruiser Division 17 (Rear Admiral J. Cary Jones)1 heavy cruiserIndianapolis (Capt. C.B. McVay ) 4 light cruisersPasadena (Capts. R.B. Tuggle and James H. Doyle )Springfield (Capts. F.L. Johnson and T.J. Kelley)Astoria (Capts. George C. Dyer and W.V. Hamilton)Wilkes-Barre (Capt. R.L. Porter) Screen 17 destroyers9 Allen M. Sumner class (6 x 5-in. main battery): Ault , English , Charles S. Sperry , Waldron , Haynsworth , Wallace L. Lind , John W. Weeks , Hank , Borie 8 Fletcher class (5 x 5-in. main battery): Erben , Walker , Hale , Stembel , Black , Bullard , Kidd , Chauncey Task Group 58.4 Rear Adm. Arthur W. Radford Fleet carrier Intrepid off Newport News, August 1943 Fast battleship New Jersey underway Large cruiser Alaska at anchor, 1944 Rear Admiral Arthur W. Radford 2 fleet carriers Yorktown (Capts. T.S. Combs and Walter F. Boone )Air Group 9 (Cmdr. P.H. Torrey and Lt. Cmdr. H.N. Houck, USNR), 95 aircraftVF-9: 40 F6F Hellcat fighters VBF-9: 33 F6F Hellcat fighters VB-9: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-9: 7 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Intrepid (Capt. G.E. Short)Air Group 10 (Cmdr. J.J. Hyland), 96 aircraftVF-10: 30 F4U Corsair , 6 F6F Hellcat fighters VBF-10: 36 F4U Corsair fighters VB-10: 15 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers VT-10: 15 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers 2 light carriers Langley (Capt. J.F. Wegforth)Air Group 23 (Lt. Cmdr. Merlin Paddock, USNR (KIA) and Cmdr. J.J. Southerland), 34 aircraftVF-23: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-23: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Independence (Capt. N.M. Kindell)Air Group 46 (Cmdr. C.W. Rooney), 33 aircraftVF-46: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters VT-46: 8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Battleship Division 9 (Rear Admiral Edward W. Hanson and Louis E. Denfeld )3 fast battleshipsWisconsin (Capt. Earl E. Stone and John W. Roper )Missouri (Capts. W.M. Callaghan and Stuart S. Murray )New Jersey (Capt. Edmund T. Wooldridge) Cruiser Division 16 (Rear Admiral Francis S. Low )2 large cruisersAlaska (Capt. K.H. Noble)Guam (Capt. Leland P. Lovette) 1 light cruiserSt. Louis (Capt. J.B. Griggs) 3 anti-aircraft light cruisers[k] Flint (Capt. C.R. Will)Oakland (Capt. K.S. Reed)San Diego (Capt. W.E.A. Mullan) Screen 17 Fletcher -class destroyers (5 x 5-in. main battery): Remey , Norman Scott , Mertz , Monssen , McGowan , McNair , Melvin , McCord , Trathen , Hazelwood , Heermann , Haggard , Franks , Hailey , Cushing , Colahan , Uhlmann , Benham
Allied logistics and support vessels
Support and Service Units (Task Force 50) Seaplane tender Chandeleur Martin PBM Mariner Oiler Escambia Ammunition ship Akutan Hospital ship Mercy Destroyer tender Cascade Search and Reconnaissance Group (Task Group 50.5) Commodore Dixwell Ketcham3 seaplane tendersHamlin (Capt. G.A. McLean)VPB-208 (Lt. Cmdr. A.J. Sintic, USNR)12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats St. George (Capt. R.G. Armstrong)VPB-18 (Lt. Cmdr. R.R. Boettcher)12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats Chandeleur (Cmdr. J.S. Tracy)VPB-21 (Lt. Cmdrs. J.E. Dougherty & J.D. Wright)12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats 3 small seaplane tendersYakutat (Cmdr. G.K. Fraser)Onslow (Cmdr. A.D. Schwarz)Shelikof (Cmdr. R.E. Stanley)VPB-27 (Lt. Cmdr. E.N. Chase)12 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats Bering Strait (Cmdr. W.D. Innis)VH-3 (Lt. Cmdr. W.D. Bonvillian)6 Martin PBM Mariner patrol bomber flying boats 2 destroyer seaplane tenders: Thornton ,[m] Gillis 1 Clemson -class destroyer: Williamson Logistics Support Group Fifth Fleet (Task Group 50.8) Rear Admiral Donald B. Beary in light cruiser Detroit Support escort carriersShamrock Bay (Capts. F.T. Ward and J.E. Leeper)VC-94 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. Patterson, USNR (KIA) and Lt. L.E. Terry)18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Makassar Strait (Capt. Herbert D. Riley )VC-97 (Lt. Cmdr. M.T. Whittier, USNR)14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers CVE Plane Transport Unit (Task Unit 50.8.4)Attu (Capt. H.F. MacComsey)Admiralty Islands (Capt. M.E.A. Gouin)Bougainville (Capt. C.A. Bond)Windham Bay (Capt. G.T. Mundorff) Logistics and Support Vessels49 oilers: Cuyama , Brazos , Cimarron , Platte , Sabine , Kaskaskia , Guadalupe , Chicopee , Housatonic , Merrimack , Kankakee , Lackawanna , Monongahela , Tappahannock , Patuxent , Neches , Suamico , Tallulah , Ashtabula , Cacapon , Caliente , Chikaskia , Aucilla , Marias , Manatee , Nantahala , Severn , Taluga , Chipola , Tolovana , Pecos , Atascosa , Cache , Enoree , Escalante , Neshanic , Niobrara , Millicoma , Saranac , Cossatot , Cowanesque , Escambia , Cahaba , Mascoma , Ocklawaha , Ponaganset , Sebec , Tomahawk , Anacostia 16 ammunition ships: Akutan , Firedrake , Lassen , Mauna Loa , Shasta , Vesuvius , Wrangell , Canada Victory ,[n] Bedford Victory , Bucyrus Victory , Manderson Victory , Las Vegas Victory , Logan Victory ,[n] Greenburg Victory , Pierre Victory , Hobbs Victory [n] 9 cargo ships: Adhara , Alkaid , Alkes , Allegan , Appanoose , Fomalhaut , Matar , Mintaka , Rotanin 8 hospital ships: Bountiful , Comfort , Hope , Mercy , Relief , Samaritan , Solace , plus transport Wharton 6 reefers (store ships): Adria , Athanasia , Bridge , Latona , Lioba , Merapi 2 survey ships: Armistead Rust , Bowditch 2 stores-issue ships: Antares , Castor 9 gasoline tankers: Wabash , Genesee , Kishwaukee , Nemasket , Escatawpa , Hiwassee , Ontonagon , Yahara , Ponchatoula , Sacandaga 6 station tankers: Armadillo , Giraffe , Marmora , Moose , Whippet , LCI(L)-993 10 repair ships: Vestal , Aristaeus , Nestor , Oceanus , Anchor , Clamp , Current , Deliver , Gear , Shackle 6 floating drydocks : ARD-13, ARD-22, ARD-27, ARD-28, AFD-14, AFDL-32 12 fleet tugs: Arikara , Chickasaw , Cree , Lipan , Mataco , Menominee , Munsee , Pakana , Tawakoni , Tekesta , Tenino , Ute 4 ocean tugs, 3 ocean tugs (rescue) Screen: Screening vessels for the Logistics Group were assigned to TG 50.8 units as needed from a pool of 11 destroyers and 24 destroyer escorts.
Japanese order of battle Japanese Combined Fleet [5] Admiral Soemu Toyoda
Super battleship Yamato under air attack, 7 April 1945
Surface Special Attack Force Vice Admiral Seiichi Ito (KIA)
Super battleship: Yamato [o] Captain Kosaku Aruga (KIA) Destroyer Squadron 2 (Rear Admiral Keizo Komura )Light cruiser: Yahagi [o] (Captain Tameichi Hara ) Destroyer Division 41 (Capt. M. Yoshida): Fuyutsuki , Suzutsuki Destroyer Division 17 (Capt. K. Shintani – KIA): Isokaze ,[p] Hamakaze ,[o] Yukikaze Destroyer Division 21 (Capt. H. Kotaki – KIA): Asashimo ,[p] Kasumi ,[p] Hatsushimo
Naval vessels damaged and sunk at Okinawa The following table lists the Allied naval vessels that received damage or were sunk in the Battle of Okinawa between 19 March – 30 July 1945. The table lists a total of 147 damaged ships, five of which were damaged by enemy suicide boats, and another five by mines. One source estimated that total Japanese sorties during the entire Okinawa campaign exceeded 3,700, with a large percentage kamikaze, and that the attackers damaged slightly more than 200 Allied vessels, with 4900 naval officers and seamen killed and roughly 4,824 wounded or missing.[6] [7] The USS Thorton is not listed as it was damaged as the result of a collision with another US ship. Those ships in a pink background, and with an asterisk were sunk or had to be scuttled due to irreparable damage. Of those sunk, the majority were relatively smaller ships; these included destroyers of around 300–450 feet. A few small cargo ships were also sunk, several containing munitions which caught fire. Those ships whose names are preceded by a "#" pound sign were scrapped or decommissioned as a result of damage.
Notes ^ Sunk by kamikaze 10 June ^ Scuttled 4 April following severe damage from kamikaze on 2 April ^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 April ^ a b Sunk by kamikaze 6 April ^ Struck mine 28 April ^ Sunk by kamikaze 22 April ^ Struck mine 26 March ^ Sunk by kamikaze 16 June ^ Sunk by kamikaze 12 April ^ Sunk by kamikaze 28 July ^ a b These cruisers were intended as destroyer leaders when designed. After the first two to be used in this role, Atlanta and Juneau , were lost at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal , this mission was rejected and the anti-aircraft mission adopted.[1] ^ About 19 years after Okinawa, the Maddox was involved in the Tonkin Gulf Incident that served as a pretext for the escalation of US combat forces in Vietnam . ^ Sunk after collision 5 April ^ a b c Sunk by kamikaze ^ a b c Sunk by US carrier planes 7 April ^ a b c Scuttled after receiving severe damage from US carrier planes 7 April
References ^ Stille, p. 7 ^ O'Callahan, Joseph T. (1956). I Was Chaplain on the Franklin . New York: The Macmillan Company. p. 40. LCCN 56010786. ^ Foster, Jeremiah D. (November 21, 2019). "Franklin III (CV-13)". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved July 2, 2020 . ^ Condon, John P. "U.S. Marine Corps Aviation". Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare) and Commander, Naval Air Systems Command. p. 21. Retrieved July 2, 2020 . ^ Morison, p. 202 ^ Toll, Ian, Twilight of the Gods , (2020) Norton and Co., New York, New York, pg. 593 ^ "The British Fleet at Okinawa". The British Fleet at Okinawa . WWII Forums. Retrieved November 4, 2020 . ^ All information is public domain from United States Navy, with casualties taken from individual action reports, table format and structure is heavily borrowed from Morison, Samuel, Eliot, Victory in the Pacific, 1945 , (Copyright 1960), Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland, Appendix II pgs. 390–392 ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 115–116 ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 176 ^ a b Morison, Victory , pg. 177 ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 218 ^ a b Morison, Victory , pg. 186–191 ^ "Destroyer History, USS Howorth". Destroyer History . Destroyer History Foundation. ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 192 ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 184 ^ "Loss report of PGM-18". www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020 . ^ "Loss report of YMS-103". www.fold3.com. Retrieved April 9, 2020 . ^ Toll, Ian, Twilight , pg. 597 ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 147 ^ "Daily Event for May 24, 2008, William B. Allison". Maritime Quest Article on William B. Allison . Maritime Quest. Retrieved June 10, 2021 . ^ Morison, Victory , pg. 275 ^ a b Morrison, Victory , pg. 279
See also
Bibliography Morison, Samuel Eliot (1960). Victory in the Pacific, 1945 . History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. XIV. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 0-7858-1315-2 .Silverstone, Paul H. (1970). U.S. Warships of World War II . Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Co. ISBN 0-8702-1773-9 . Toll, Ian W. (2020). Twilight of the Gods, War in the Western Pacific 1944-45 . New York, NY: Norton and Company. ISBN 9780393080650 .